Rainwater is often considered a natural source of distilled water. Distilled water is water that has been purified by boiling and condensing the steam. It is free of minerals, bacteria, and other contaminants that may be present in tap water or bottled water. Distilled water has many uses, such as for drinking, cooking, cleaning, gardening, and more.
However, rainwater is not as pure and clean as you may think. Rainwater is naturally distilled by the evaporation and condensation cycle of the water cycle, the fact is, rainwater may contain more impurities than tap water or bottled water, depending on the environment and where and how it is collected and stored.
In this article, we will debunk the myth of rainwater distillation and explain why you shouldn’t drink rainwater without proper treatment. You will learn:
- How rainwater gets contaminated by various sources and factors
- How to test the quality and safety of rainwater before drinking it
- How to treat rainwater using different methods and devices
- How to store and use treated rainwater safely and effectively
Let’s get started!
How Rainwater Gets Contaminated by Various Sources and Factors
Rainwater may seem like a pure and natural source of water, but it could actually exposed to many sources and factors that can contaminate it. Here are some examples:
- Air pollution: Rainwater can pick up pollutants from the air such as dust, smoke, smog, acid rain, pesticides, and heavy metals. These pollutants can affect the taste, color, odor, and pH of the water. They can also cause health problems such as respiratory infections, skin irritations, or cancer.
- Roof runoff: Rainwater can collect dirt, debris, leaves, bird droppings, insects, or animal carcasses from the roof or gutters. These substances can introduce bacteria, viruses, parasites, or fungi into the water. They can also clog or damage the collection system or the filter device.
- Collection container: Rainwater can leach chemicals or rust from the collection container such as barrels, pots, or buckets. These chemicals or rust can alter the quality and safety of the water. They can also affect the performance or lifespan of the collection system or the filter device.
- Storage container: Rainwater can grow algae or bacteria in the storage container such as glass bottles or plastic jugs. These organisms can spoil the freshness and purity of the water. They can also produce toxins or odors that can make the water unpalatable or unsafe to drink.
How to Test the Quality and Safety of Rainwater Before Drinking It
Before you drink rainwater, you need to test its quality and safety. Testing will help you determine if the water is suitable for drinking or if it needs further treatment. There are different ways to test rainwater, depending on your budget and preference. Here are some examples:
- Visual inspection: You can visually inspect the rainwater for any signs of contamination such as cloudiness, coloration, sedimentation, or floating particles. If you see any of these signs, you should not drink the water without treatment.
- Smell test: You can smell the rainwater for any odors that may indicate contamination such as mustiness,
- Taste test: You can taste the rainwater for any flavors that may indicate contamination such as sourness, bitterness, or metallicness. If you taste any of these flavors, you should not drink the water without treatment.
- pH test: You can use a pH meter or a pH test strip to measure the acidity or alkalinity of the rainwater. The ideal pH range for drinking water is between 6.5 and 8.5. If the pH is too low or too high, it may indicate contamination or corrosion in the water. You should not drink the water without treatment if the pH is outside the ideal range.
- Turbidity test: You can use a turbidity meter or a turbidity tube to measure the clarity or cloudiness of the rainwater. The ideal turbidity level for drinking water is less than 5 nephelometric turbidity units (NTU). If the turbidity is higher than 5 NTU, it may indicate contamination or sedimentation in the water. You should not drink the water without treatment if the turbidity is higher than 5 NTU.
- Microbial test: You can use a microbial test kit or a laboratory service to detect the presence of harmful microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, parasites, or fungi in the rainwater. The ideal microbial level for drinking water is zero or very low. If the microbial level is high, it may indicate contamination or spoilage in the water. You should not drink the water without treatment if the microbial level is high.
How to Treat Rainwater Using Different Methods and Devices
If you find that your rainwater is contaminated or unsafe to drink, you need to treat it before drinking it. Treating will remove or reduce any impurities or pathogens that may be present in the water. There are different methods and devices you can use to treat rainwater, depending on your budget and preference. Here are some examples:
– Boiling: You can boil the rainwater for at least 10 minutes to kill most microorganisms that may be present in the water. Boiling will also remove some, but not many, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that may affect the taste or odor of the water. However, boiling will not remove any dissolved solids or metals that may be present in the water.
– Chlorination: You can add chlorine bleach or chlorine tablets to the rainwater to disinfect it and kill any microorganisms that may be present in the water. Chlorination will also prevent any algae or bacteria from growing in the water during storage. However, chlorination will not remove any dissolved solids or metals that may be present in the water. Chlorination may also leave a residual chlorine taste or odor in the water. Also, if done incorrectly, drinking this water may be lethal.
– Filtration: You can use a filter device such as a cloth, a coffee filter, a charcoal filter, or a ceramic filter to filter out any solid particles or impurities that may be present in the rainwater. Filtration will also improve the taste, color, odor, and clarity of the water. However, filtration will not remove any dissolved solids or metals that may be present in the water. Filtration may also not remove manyl microorganisms that may be present in the water, and it will definitely not get rid of potentially deadly pathogens.
– Distillation: You can use a distiller device such as a solar still, a stovetop still, or an electric still, or water distiller to distill the rainwater. Distillation will remove any dissolved solids, metals, microorganisms, and VOCs (with the built-in charcoal in a water distiller) that may be present in the water. Distillation will also produce pure and clean water that is free of any contaminants. However, distillation will also remove any minerals or electrolytes that may be beneficial for your health but almost all of the nutrients you need come from food, however, you can always add minerals to distilled water. Distillation may also require a lot of energy or time to operate if not using a water distiller.
How to Store and Use Treated Rainwater Safely and Effectively
After you have treated your rainwater, you have safe and clean water that is ready to use. However, you need to store and use it properly to prevent it from getting contaminated or spoiled again. Here are some tips to follow:
- Store your treated water in clean, airtight containers such as glass bottles or plastic jugs. Avoid metal containers that may corrode or react with the water.
- Label your containers with the date of treatment and the method of treatment. Treated water can last for a long time if stored properly, but it may lose some of its freshness and purity over time.
- Keep your containers in a cool, dark, and dry place away from sunlight, heat, and moisture. Exposure to these elements may cause algae or bacteria to grow in the water.
- Use your treated water for various purposes such as drinking, cooking, cleaning, and more. Treated water is safe and healthy to consume, as it does not contain any harmful substances or pathogens that may affect your health. However, some people may prefer to add some minerals or electrolytes to their treated water to enhance its taste and nutritional value.
- Replace your treated water regularly with fresh batches. Do not reuse or refill your containers with untreated rainwater or tap water or bottled water, as this may contaminate your treated water.
Conclusion
Rainwater is not a reliable source of distilled water in most cities in the world. Rainwater can get contaminated by various sources and factors that can affect its quality and safety. You should not drink rainwater without proper testing and treatment. You can test rainwater using different methods and devices to determine its suitability for drinking. You can treat rainwater using different methods and devices to remove or reduce any impurities or pathogens that may be present in the water. You can store and use treated rainwater safely and effectively by following some tips and precautions. By doing so, you can enjoy the benefits of safe and clean water for your health and well-being.
